What Is An Eco Convert?
As Kermit The Frog puts it "It's not easy being green." Or is it?
What is an Eco-Convert?
The phrase "eco convert" has a religious conotation, doesn't it?
I had coined the phrase awhile back when I was feeling a "calling" toward making healthier choices in life. There should be another name for going through this phase in life, just like a mid-life crisis. I think it's the realization of mortality. That's when those things your mother always said about eating right, taking vitamins, etc. comes into your head.
When you're thinking of health, it's full circle and the planet is part of that circle. Do you think you're in that phase? Are you ready to be an eco-convert?
So Where Do You Start?
Changing habits isn't easy
Does this sound familiar?So how many times have you tried to separate for recycling? Use non toxic products? Take vitamins every day?..... exactly.
I fell off the wagon within a few weeks, every earth day. I would vow to make small changes, and low and behold I'd say the same thing again the next year. What could I do to make this year different? To make it stick?
Getting a new recycling bin in the kitchen with drawers was a start. Then I got biobags for the can. I was diligent in my efforts but it came with yet another obstacle. Getting the family to follow suit! Ever since watching this video, my son recycles EVERYTHING: ClimateCrisisJam.org
Then, I focused on the electricity usage in our home. I bought energy saving bulbs and began replacing the burned out ones with these. That wasn't too hard, but our lighting was a little "off" until they all got replaced. There were over 48 light bulbs in our house! Have you ever counted yours? Do it, you'll be as suprised as I was.
Included with the electricity "scan", were the televisions and computers that are constantly in the "on" mode, even when turned off. I bought the smart power strips that turn the entire set of plugs off, when the TV is turned off. We have directv so the satellite has to warm up for a minute when we turn it back on. But that's not too bad.
Did you know that if every family did this ONE thing that co2 would be reduced by 45% in each household? That's a big difference!
In the laundry, I began using only laundry wash without phosphates and asked the family to rewear clothes that weren't dirty. That reduced the amount of loads by half! Of course, the kiddos have to be helped with that.
I bought a dozen canvas shopping bags AND have learned to keep them in the front seat of the car, so I don't smack myself on the forehead each time I'm in the checkout line because I left them in the trunk! I used to use these plastic bags for the doggie stuff, but have found a doggie bio bags for that too! I've started telling people about it on our walks. Maybe I'll contact the city about those dog park baggies?
Here's the kicker, when I was going through the motions of being an 'eco-convert', I still felt as though I was about to give up at any moment. Dealing with change wasn't easy. I had almost fell off the wagon again when it dawned on me. I need incentive to keep going.
I began to ponder the thought, "what if we were paid to do it?" Heck, you wouldn't go to that job everyday if you didn't get paid. I think that's the most powerful incentive of all.
So, I searched for the "affiliate program for going green". Hmm. Not much luck. Seems no one wanted to pay me for that, in fact, the garbage company actually charges us to pick it up! Ok, I had to change my angle.
continued below poll
Green Poll
See Where You Rank
Ever tried to be greener? Fell off the green wagon last Earth Day? Want incentive to try again?
Is it morally wrong to need incentive?
Hmmmm
Insight: When searching for a way to monetarily gain from a morally provacative issue, it's a bit greedy, don't you think?Get paid to go green? How?
The idea came to me one day, while watching Oprah. She had dedicated her show that day to Going Green. As luck would have it, some of the products they featured on the show were from a company that offered an income opportunity for using their products. Could this be it? Can I really get paid to fully convert?
I started at Clean-Safely.com and dug deep into the products, videos and program details. You don't have to order to maintain your membership and the products WORK! They have to, I'm the only girl in this famiy of 5!
To boot, I felt a sense of something "larger than myself" here. I wasn't just switching the store I normally bought these things from, I was "giving back" by creating a healthier environment. Mainly because this company donates proceeds to all sorts of environmental charities and foundations too. Other companies just keep all of the profits.
I switched my home over in one fell swoop by getting The Starter Kit
Inspired To Do More?
So then I was inspired! Not enough to start drinking wheat grass, ew! But I began to do fundraising events for schools, clubs and churches. There's more on my website about it here: Eco-Fundraisers, you can get a free dvd and info pack there too.There are so many ways to "get paid to go green" but my favorite has to be social networking! CafeMom
That's how it all started. My transition through this Eco-Convert phase in life was going to stick this time!
Well, I'm happy to report, it has stuck! Over a year later and I'm greener than I've ever been and heck, Kermit was wrong, it is easy being green! When you get paid! lol
I'm gonna go plant a tree now... in the meantime, decide how you will inspire yourself and what kind of incentive you will need to keep your "going green" efforts, SUSTAINABLE! Good Luck!
Green Kids
Our Connections To Nature Need Nurturing
A child is born with an inherent affinity for nature. But the more toy companies try to keep your child's minds busy, the more they remove this connection. Plastic toys could never compare to finding a good stick or making a fairy house near a tree!Also, the fears of the newscasts are creating fearful parents, afraid of letting the children play outside on their own. Children should be supervised, but they just need to stick together. But since it won't ever be like it used to be, we need to have alternatives that are safer. Here are some ways to create a sense of freedom in your child's backyard adventures!
For example. Make sure your home isn't the best place to play. What I mean by that, is to create the desire to get their entertainment via other means. Instead of a child wanting to stay inside and watch cartoons, play with leggos, or color, make it more pleasureable for them to go outside.
When buying toys, it's a nice thing to do, but purchase wisely. Ask yourself: will this toy create desire for my child to explore other things? Will this toy connect my child to nature or education?
One problem is that kids today expect to be entertained instead of entertaining themselves. As a child, I remember on those days when I wasn't so imaginative, I would just sit on my swing. Contemplation would commence and I would be inspired to do something else. Like go to a friend's house, or make a mud pie!
Link to buy mud here.... just kidding!
Look at this picture! When's the last time you were this happy just playing in the mud?
Photograph courtesy of Brandy's Blog! Check it out!
When's The Last Time You Had This Much Fun?!
The Green Controversy! Dun Dun Dun Dun
Really Now, There's Much to the contrary...
Going green isn't as controversial as the politicians and the conspiracy theorists would like us to believe.Getting back to a more natural existence with our surroundings is just common sense when it comes to taking care of our health and the health of our environment.
Everything we eat, drink, breath and medicate ourselves with, comes from the Earth. Hence the need to protect it is obvious.
Home remedies preceeded any organic, natural products that come in a bottle. So when considering purchases that would help you to be more eco-friendly, take a moment to read labels, buy in concentrate and buy organic if you can, especially from local farmers.
Consumption
Number one on my list was to stop buying "stuff" that I we really don't need. I think it's most obvious on garbage day. How many people need 2 large garbage cans? What are we throwing away every week? I'm down to one bag in my can each week and my recycling bins are full. It used to be the other way around.
Homemade Cleaners:
Homemade cleaning recipes can be found everywhere these days, but some still recommend ingredients like detergents, borates and lye that are not as eco friendly. So just watch out. There are some pretty funky recipes out there, so you decide. Read on.
Three Things No EcoFriendly Home Should Be Without:
Vinegar, peroxide and baking soda are three things no household should be without. These can be used for literally everything. I use vinegar in my dishwasher rinse agent dispenser instead of jetdry too. It's a buck for a gallon of vinegar, and it's 2.39 for a small bottle of jetdry. I use peroxide to kill germs in between steam cleaning. (You know it works, that's why Mom always treated your cuts with it!) Baking soda is perfect for light scrubbing and drain cleaning. Yup, just put some baking soda in the drain and add a little vinegar to get those "scrubbing bubbles" action in your drainpipes! Or, just throw a cut up lemon in your disposal and turn it on. No more stinky drain!
Healthy Alternatives To Cleaners:
Steam machines, like the Shark Steam Blaster and Mop are great! No chemicals, soaps, mysterious homemade recipes, nada. Just hot steam kills everything. I use them about once per week around the bathrooms and tile floors. That's it.
Why All The Hype?
The clorox company would like us to believe our homes are saturated with deadly germs, viruses and bacteria that would kill us if we didn't use their toxic chemicals. That's what we're fed over the tv tube and ads. It's just not necessary and is, in fact, very dangerous to our health as studies have shown. Now you get why politicians and corporations have started the hype, right? Watch the video below and see samples of commercials used to scare you.
Earth Day is truly a reminder, just like your birthday is, that you must take care of yourself EVERY DAY! The Earth is included in that scenario.
Eco-Converts TV
EcoConverts Unite!
The Average Jo Goes Green
Going Green isn't just about recycling or using weird looking light bulbs. It's a lot more. Subscribe to rss feed for immediate notification of new posts! Eco-Converts Blog
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byEco Convert Must Have's
Love Lizards? Don't Use Bug Sprays!
There's a better way and it works!
1. Do not leave a food source for them. They will leave if there's nothing to eat! This means crumbs on the floor or in the cabinets. Leaving dirty dishes or food out will just attract them. Enclose cereals, flour, rice, etc in ziplock bags, forever! Really!
2. Close the entry point. When tracking down an intruder, find out where they are coming in and close it up. Use caulk, joint compound, a door sweep or weather stripping to do the job.
3. Use healthier alternatives to pest control. Arbico Organics makes an excellent alternative. Just use around entryways.
Remember: Use pest control with common sense! You don't want to kill the lizards, ladybugs and spiders, they're the best pest controllers!
Join A Local Freecycle Group! www.Freecycle.org
What Is Freecycle.org?
Freecyclenetwork is a great lens to learn more about it!
We Can Solve It!
Get Involved and Take Active Steps To Better Our World
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byMore Ways To Be Greener!
Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons
Kermit's annotations would be appropriate here.
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/19/2008)
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder
Social skills are distorted by the gadgets of modern day.
Amazon Price: $13.95 (as of 07/19/2008)
Pedometer Walking: Stepping Your Way to Health, Weight Loss, and Fitness
Just get up and do it!
Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 07/19/2008)
Greenwash: The Reality Behind Corporate Environmentalism
An eye-opening view of this subject.
Amazon Price: $20.95 (as of 07/19/2008)
Billy Blanks - Tae Bo Kicks
America's kids need a good health mentor they admire, that's Billy Blanks!
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 07/19/2008)
So, Whattayathink?
Feedback Is What Makes The World Go Round
Feel free to express yourself, pros, cons, and high 5's are accepted!
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dtbs
interesting lens! thanks for sharing this info! please check mine out at----------------> Kava Kava. Posted July 15, 2008 |
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Squidster
I really like your personal writing style, leading by example and non-condescending. The lens topic is spot on. I look forward to read more from you. 5* lens! Posted July 12, 2008 |
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WhiteBison
Excellent tips! I like this lens a lot. Added to my favorites and gave it a lensroll too. Posted July 10, 2008 |
I just read some of your blog entries and I think you really know what it takes to "convert" and make it stick! I think that's the hardest part of any changes in life, making it permanent! I think I'll do one of these lenses for myself, it looks like fun!
Posted July 09, 2008
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grassosalvato86
We need more lenses about this topic, because it is an important one. We should do something to respect our environment to get a better future for our planet. 5 stars. Posted July 05, 2008 |
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Karen_Knight_Bennett
Wow! What a great lens. You have done lots of research on the subject. Posted July 02, 2008 |
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LindaJM
You make some good points about motivation for eco-friendliness. I'd never thought of being paid for it. Posted July 01, 2008 |
This is an excellent lens! Very inspiring.
Posted June 29, 2008
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LaraineRose
Fantastic lens! I'm green. Lensrolled to my lens, fav'd, etc. Posted June 14, 2008 |
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mndheather
Thank you for making me a eco convert :). Posted June 06, 2008 |
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Dav1d0
Great lens. 5 stars ;) Posted May 09, 2008 |
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Global_Peace
My heart is racing...five stars...see my lens and post ur opinion Posted April 27, 2008 |
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bafiedel
There's so much great information here! It can be overwhelming, but if everyone just took baby steps toward being more eco-friendly it would make such a huge difference. Thanks for pointing us all in the right directions. Posted April 26, 2008 |
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JohannTheDog
Very nice! Posted April 22, 2008 |
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enslavedbyfaeries
Beautifully done! I love this lens and plan to add you to my featured "green" lenses. Awesome lens and definately worth 5 stars! Posted April 21, 2008 |
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fanfreluche
Great green lens!!! 5* Posted April 21, 2008 |
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Barkely
Very nicely done. If destroying our planet isn't enough incentive to "go green" I'm not sure there is a strong enough incentive out there. Posted April 20, 2008 |
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RinchenChodron
Yes, well done 5/5! I sell green products from Young Living Essential Oils called Thieves Cleaning Products. Enter Sponsor # 322979 when you order. Or phone me at 303 755-2669 Thank you for this information. Great site. Posted April 19, 2008 |
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CherylK
Wow! This is great - I've already turned lots of these suggestions into habits but neglected to put them in my own lenses. A really good job. Posted April 19, 2008 |
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The_Book_Garden
Very Good! I've gone and rolled this to a bunch of my 'Green' lenses! Posted April 19, 2008 |
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Michaud68
Great Lens a must read for everyone ***** Posted April 19, 2008 |
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chloecavanaugh
Very impressed. Your information is important, and appreciated. I must leave you a gift before I go, *****! Posted April 08, 2008 |
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CliveAnderson
The projection of information and details contained within this lens are an inspiration to the Eco cause. To realise one's mortality and continually strive to make a better place for others is certainly an admiral achievement for anyone. I think JoAnn has not only produced a highly valuable lens, but also a work ethic for others to follow. Great work JoAnn. You get my respect for sure... 5 stars plus, plus, plus. Posted March 25, 2008 |
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eccles1
Going Green ! Posted March 01, 2008 |
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clarson041
I know there is alot I can learn from you, I am glad we met, keep in touch and your lens is very good! Keep up the good work, talk with you soon :) Posted February 29, 2008 |
Very informative and motivational! I do a lot of green things myself, but it sure is hard to convince others. I hope you get some converts motivated.
Posted February 28, 2008
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CarolSue
Very nice lens, nice layout and useful information. Keep up the good work. Green is very good! Posted February 21, 2008 |
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Music-Resource
Hi JoAnn, Great Eco Convert lens. I love the coined phrase :) I do a few eco things already but your lens motivates me to try some more. Green is good. ~Music Resource~ Posted February 15, 2008 |
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Becca_Sanz
For such a fantastic lens I'm sending you a virtual Strawberry Smoothy from the movement to promote healthy food on college campuses. Posted February 14, 2008 |
